ANDERSON, Ind. —
When Ralph and Kay Hite first built their home 43 years ago, they felt their three-bedroom, one-and-a-half bathroom house was a mansion.
At the time, the floor plan was considered sizeable, even for a family with three children.
As the Hite family grew and home trends came and went, Ralph and Kay saw their mansion shrink and, rather than move from their beloved neighborhood, they altered the home to suit their tastes.
“We’ve had three kitchens in this house,” said Ralph with a smile. Retired from Delco, he now works for a construction company in Indianapolis.
Family help
Each time the couple renovated, the kitchen was moved to a more suitable location. Having just completed their (hopefully) last remodel, their newest kitchen reflects those in brand-new homes. Spacious in area, cabinetry and countertops, it is combined with the living room and eating area. Flinging open the doors to the back porch creates even more space.
“I like to call this our gathering room,” said Kay, a retired registered nurse from the emergency room of Saint John’s Hospital. “When you get older, you have grandchildren and need more space. Everyone ends up in the kitchen. Now there is plenty of room. This is exactly what I envisioned.”
“In the old house, we couldn’t all get in the same room,” agreed Ralph. “Well, maybe if we were standing.”
Family played a solid role in the remodeling this time around. Their son, Troy, cleaned the old bricks, painted the rooms and helped Ralph with the woodwork. Their daughter, Holly McMullen, aided with the décor. The spirit of their late daughter, Lori Calendar, who passed away from breast cancer, surrounded them with memories.
“During our first remodel, we wanted a larger kitchen and back porch,” explained Kay. “We added them on and the kitchen became the dining room and we installed the pool.”
Planning ahead
This renovation has taken four years and was designed with the golden years in mind.
“You never know what is going to happen when you get older,” said Ralph. “We have moved our bedroom downstairs and everything on this level is wheelchair accessible. If we ever have to, we can live without going upstairs at all.”
Next to the gathering room, the stand-out change is the master bathroom. Complete with a whirlpool tub, a walk-in shower, separate water closet and plenty of room to maneuver, the area is a dream.
Laying the tile himself, Ralph found that he was going to be short of what was needed. Calling the store, he found there was none left in the area. Calling Italy, he found there was none left anywhere. Changing the design layout, he managed to cover the area in such a way that guests would never guess the struggle.
More than simply functional, the renovation is pleasing to the senses.
“Our goal was to make it look like it wasn’t added on to at all,” said Ralph.
“It gives you something fresh and new,” added Kay. “It keeps the house from being dated. It just shows what you can do with something that is older if you have a vision and patience — a lot of patience.”
Each week, Emma Bowen Meyer features a Madison County home. If you know of a home that should be showcased, send an e-mail to emmagoldiemeyer@yahoo.com.
Homes
Related Photos
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Once upon a time, this gathering area was a garage and attic. Now a stellar kitchen with a peaked ceiling, its color scheme has also been updated to chocolate and white.
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The master bathroom sports a whirlpool tub, walk-in shower, water closet, and tile laid by Ralph Hite.
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Ralph and Kay Hite, married for 53 years, sit on the steps of their renovated home near Chesterfield.
Discussion
Hite home ever evolving
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